Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath invoked her ‘strong mayor’ powers Wednesday to break a deadlocked vote on a controversial housing development in downtown Stoney Creek.
Horwath used her powers under the provincial More Homes Built Faster Act to advance a plan to build a three-storey building with 24 affordable units and a five-storey building with 43 units on two municipally owned parking lots on Lake Avenue South.
The plan has been the subject of intense debate, with some residents and businesses arguing that the lots are critical for parking and should not be used for housing.
In February, Ward 5 Coun. Matt Francis won support for an amendment that removed the two properties from the housing plan, but Horwath’s use of her provincial powers overrides that decision.
Horwath said she was confident that the decision was in the best interest of the city and its residents.
“This decision is not about me,” Horwath said. “It’s about the people of Hamilton. It’s about making sure that we have a city where everyone has a place to call home.”
The approved motion now means that the city will begin negotiations with a non-profit housing provider to advance the development.
The decision was met with mixed reactions from councillors. Some, like Ward 13 Coun. Alex Wilson, who voted with Horwath, said they were “a little incredulous” on the matter, arguing that opportunities to have a “dialogue on compromise” were never put “on the table.”
Others, like Francis, characterized the powers as “dangerous and undemocratic,” saying “hundreds of residents” reached out and signed a petition and that a council vote was made for “the will of the people.”
Despite the opposition, Horwath said she was confident that the development would be a positive addition to the community.
“I believe that this development will make our city stronger,” Horwath said. “It will provide much-needed affordable housing for our residents, and it will help to revitalize our downtown core.”
